Genital Warts: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatments for Men and Women.

An eminent sexually transmitted infection (STI) that can affect both males and females in equal measure, genital warts are considered one of the most popular STI’s contractable by humans. Spread via direct physical contact via sexual intercourse, anal sex or oral sex with a carrier of responsible HPV (human papillomavirus), genital warts are generally considered one of the simplest sexually-related conditions to tackle as the growths typically respond positively to topical medications.

So, if concerned you or a sexual female or male partner may be enduring genital warts but aren’t sure how to identify signs of them, read this article in its entirety to discover more about symptoms, treatment options and accurate photos for referencing both sets of genitalia.

What Are Genital Warts?

Defined as sprouting growths primarily centered around the genital and anal areas, genital warts are scientifically referred to as condylomata acuminata.

Typically flesh-colored matching the sufferer’s skin tone and occasionally featuring a thicker, crustier outer hardened layer, they can occur singularly or in bundles. If bunched together, the best description of what this looks like is resembling a piece of flowered broccoli – obviously without being green!

How Do You Get Genital Warts?

As they’re overly contagious, they’re easily transferable through physical intimacy. Caused by HPV, it’s estimated between 30 to 40 individual strains of this viral component can cause genital lumps to manifest. You’re at boosted risk of developing genital warts if you routinely have non-protected sex without condoms with numerous individuals, or engage in spontaneous sex activities with random strangers retaining ambiguous sexual past. How do you get genital warts doesn’t vary between men and women, with course of transmission remaining identical.

Genital Warts Symptoms

Genital warts symptoms typically follow similar patterns across all cases, yet pictures and images of the ailment can mightily vary. It’s important to remember they can emerge in larger clumps or as sole warts appearing speckled throughout the genitals. Occurring on penis, vagina, labia, scrotum and even the anus or perineum, genital warts are typically painless yet can cause some degree of itching. Generally flesh toned, whitish or even gray/brown in shade, these warts don’t typically secrete pus or bloody fluid. If detecting abrasions on your genitals that appear inflamed and resemble bloody pustules, it’s likely you’ve contracted a different condition that requires inspection by a professional.

Why Are Genital Warts in Women More Common?

Whilst common across both men and women, genital warts in women are surprisingly a little more prevalent. Experts are unclear of precisely why this occurs as the transportation and manifestation of genital warts is the same for both genders. But some suggest that because of the increased foldings of the female genitalia, the warts have a greater array of concealed places they can grow and fester before diagnosis.

Are Symptoms Different For Genital Warts in Men?

As mentioned, the presentation of genital warts remains similar regardless of gender. Therefore, pics of genital warts in men are likely to look almost identical to warts present in women – the only difference being the characteristics of genitalia of course! The only differing factor is female genital warts can be trickier to spot, simply because there’s a greater amount of locations they can grow. For example, genital warts can in fact develop inside the vagina itself and even the cervical barrier as opposed to just on the outer vulva visible without invasive probing examination.

How to Remove Genital Warts

Whilst not considered a deadly condition and posing little risk toward overall health, receiving treatment for how to remove genital warts is indispensable. Not only do they look unsightly and can potentially cause itchy discomfort and spread if left untreated for extended periods, you’re far more likely to pass them on if they remain actively growing on your skin.

It’s vital to remember there’s no current medicinal cure for HPV – the root cause of genital warts. Therefore, once you’ve caught HPV, it’s impossible to utterly prevent genital warts rebounding once gone. However, the vast majority of healthy immune functions are able to successfully fight off and abolish the human papillomavirus over time, so if an initial bout of genital warts is successfully treated there’s always a chance they won’t return.

As genital warts typically don’t hurt, some sufferers are happy to simply leave them to disappear on their own. But it’s impossible to predict how long this takes and if unduly embarrassed and experiencing itchy discomfort, certain treatments are available to alleviate symptoms, extinguish present warts and aid decreasing the risk of future spreading.

Topical medicinal creams and ointments are usually recommended, but for particularly stubborn cases your doctor may administer professional removal methods including laser therapy, cryotherapy and even minor surgical removal involving burning the warts away during electrocautery. Anesthetic is used yet recovery time is inconsequential.

Medicine for Genital Warts

It’s unlikely any professional doctor will instantly suggest physical surgical procedures to undertake this condition. Topical medicine for genital warts is usually the first course of treatment provided, with a variety of different samples available. Liquids, ointments or creams will be directly applied to all warts present, and this may be required for a few weeks until all traces have disappeared. You may be able to conduct this yourself from the comfort of home, but some practitioners will require this treatment to be done in a clinical setting. Names of popular topical genital wart treatments include podophyllin, podofilix and imiquimod.